Metal roofs are a very popular roofing option among homeowners, and it doesn’t come as a surprise since they are attractive and durable. Despite metal roofs’ attractions, some homeowners aren’t so keen on installing them due to myths and misconceptions. It might be hard to believe, but there are more metal roof myths than you know. How did these myths start? We aren’t exactly sure.
In this article, we will discuss these misconceptions and correct people’s perception of metal roofs.
What Are the Common Myths About Metal Roofs?
Metal Roofs Are Noisy
One of the metal roof myths is that they make a lot of noise during hail storms or rainfalls. Although profiles and systems of metal roofs experience noise in some situations, most metal roofs have designs and installations that do not allow them to make more sound than other roof types. In fact, some metal roofs make less sound.
As the saying goes, there are different strokes for different folks. Just like some people do not want their roofs making loud noises during rainfall, some live for it. They love the “noise” rainfall makes when it comes in contact with the roof. So, depending on your preference, you can install your metal roof in a manner that will make loud sounds during rainfall and hail storms or be quiet.
Some of the ways to prevent your roof from making unnecessary noise include:
- Including a buffer: Installing a structural metal roof over an open framing directly or covering lengthy dimensions by joining the purlins or frame will make sounds from rainfall or hail storms more noticeable and loud. So, to prevent this, a buffer between the internal part of a structure (e.g., roof deck, insulation, and sheathing) and the panels is necessary.
- Insulation: Adding insulation can reduce the noise your roof makes during rainfall or hail storms. You can reduce noise by installing insulation beneath or above your roof deck and between the purlins or beams of an open frame. However, ensure your roofing contractor installs it in a way that won’t limit thermal activity.
- Hiring a skilled and experienced installer knowledge: Hiring a certified roofing contractor with years of experience and expertise is the surest way of controlling the noise your roof makes. They know just what to do to give you what you want.
Therefore, the belief that all metals hold heat in the summer is false, making it one of the metal roof myths.
Metal Roofing Attracts Lightning
Some people learned early that all metal objects attract lightning during a thunderstorm, discouraging them from holding metal items at such a time. We know it would take a lot of convincing to make anyone believe that this is actually a myth. How? Why? You may ask. We will explain.
The fact that most lightning rods placed on building tops are constructed with metal influences the belief that metal draws lightning. It might interest you to know that these metal rods serve as electricity conductors. They safely send electricity to the ground, preventing destruction to the building instead of attracting lightning, as some believe.
This means having a metal roof over your building won’t attract lightning. The probability of lightning striking a metal roof is the same as with any other roofing material. The likelihood of lightning striking a metal roof depends on a number of variables, including the land topography, the frequency of thunderstorms, and the size of the building.
All Metal Roofs Form Red Rust After a While
When most metals come in contact with water and oxygen, oxidation occurs. Oxidation leads to the formation of patina or rusting of the metals over time. However, saying all metal roofs form red rust is another of the several metal roof myths, as it doesn’t apply to all metal roofs and metals generally. Not all metals form red rust when they come in contact with water and oxygen. After transforming metal sheets and coils into panels, manufacturers design, coat, and sample them to avert the formation of rust for the longest possible time.
Let’s discuss the characteristics of some metals that manufacturers commonly use in the construction of metal panels.
Properties of Common Metals Used In Construction of Metal Panels
Aluminum: A roof made of aluminum doesn’t have red rust over time. Instead, it forms white rust, nicely blending with the metal color. Aluminum is one of the best, if not the best, roofing materials to install on your property in coastal regions that experience high rainfall and seawater splash. It is ideal for such an area because it is resistant to rust.
Galvalume: Galvalume incorporates the top three valuable and high-performing metals in roofing. These are aluminum, steel, and zinc. During the process of manufacturing galvalume, the manufacturers ensure that each material possesses some of the best qualities of each metal. Galvalume, unlike galvanized roofs, is designed to heal itself. However, it is essential to note that any steel roof can quickly rust if perforated, scratched, or poorly maintained. Galvalume is not an exemption.
Copper: Rather than rust, copper develops a patina, a covering that occurs due to exposure to sun and oxidation. The covering’s color can range from a bluish-green to a dark bronze. No one can tell for sure what color of patina will form or when it will appear.
Zinc: Zinc does not form red rust. Instead, it forms a protective covering when exposed to moisture and carbon dioxide. This covering is zinc carbonate. It increases zinc’s resistance to further corrosive actions.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel is a steel alloy made of a minimum of 10.5% chromium, making it resistant to rust. However, there are architectural stainless steels specially designed to form a patina like that of zinc.
Additionally, aside from the makeup of these metals that do not develop red rust over time, there are paint systems that manufacturers apply to them to prevent oxidation and corrosion.
Metal Roofs Are Quick to Dent
Some people believe that metal roofs are quick to dent. This belief is another of the many metal roof myths, as metal roofs are tough to dent. They are even more challenging to puncture. A primary concern of homeowners when considering the roof type to install is hail storms causing dents on their roofs. As a matter of fact, the average hailstorm is not likely to cause metal roof dents or damage. It would take a severe storm with large hail pieces to damage or dent a metal roof.
Thankfully, there’s a guideline in the roofing industry that tests metal panels for their resistance to hail and other damaging objects that may hit them. After testing, the manufacturers rank the products on a Class 1-4 scale. The Class 4 ranking is the toughest, with the slightest chance of denting or getting damaged from contact with hail or similar objects.
They Absorb and Store Heat in the Summer
Thinking metal roofs absorb and store heat for a long time is one of the misconceptions influenced by our understanding that metals store heat from the sun for an extended period. However, this doesn’t necessarily include metal roofing panels.
Thanks to advancements in technology, we now have cool metal roofing. Cool metal roofing is made of metal panels with a high Solar Reflective Index (SRI) and is highly emissive. SRI is a measure of a surface’s ability to reflect the sun’s solar energy and radiate heat. It is calculated on a scale of 0-100. The closer a metal’s SRI is to zero, the darker the surface, while the closer the value is to 100, the lighter the surface.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen that many things that have discouraged you from getting a metal roof for your building are not true, how does it feel? Liberating and satisfying, right? Metal roofs are durable and offer several benefits, including energy efficiency, noise lessening, and high defense against hail storms. These qualities made them popular among homeowners who didn’t let the myths discourage them. So, are you getting a metal roof for your next project or are you still holding on to the myths?
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes a metal roof to fail?
Due to fluctuations in temperature, metal roofs tend to expand and contract. This phenomenon can cause fasteners to loosen, metal panels to warp, and even roofs to leak over time. However, with the correct installation of metal roofs with expansion joints and fasteners, you can control the situation and prevent deterioration.
Are all metal roofs noisy when it rains?
The belief that all metal roofs are noisy when it rains is one of the common metal roof myths. Whether metal roofs make noise during rainfall depends on some factors. A metal roof with an open frame will make louder sounds than an asphalt roof. Examples of structures with such roofs are warehouses and barns. However, it is different for adequately installed metal roofs with buffers between the internal part of a structure and the panels.
